Middle English Dictionary Entry

ū̆s-self pron.
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Entry Info

Forms ū̆s-self pron. Also (early) usselvan, usselwen & (error) usseuen.
Etymology From ū̆s pron. & self pron.; also cp. LOE ūs sylfum.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. oure-self(e pron.
1.
Emphatic pl. pron. having the same referent as we pron. used as subj.: ourselves: (a) as appositive to the subj. of a clause;—occas. with ellipsis of verb; (b) as direct obj. of a verb or an inf.; (c) as indirect obj. or dative of interest or reference: to ourselves, for ourselves; (d) as obj. of a prep.; bi ~ al-one, by ourselves only; bi ~ two, together.
Show 39 Quotations
2.
Emphatic pl. pron. having the same referent as us pron. used as the subj. of an inf.: ourselves;—occas. used in an impers. construction: (a) as direct obj. of an inf.; (b) as obj. of a prep.
Show 6 Quotations
3.
Emphatic pl. pron. used independently: (a) as subj. of an elliptical clause: we ourselves [could also be construed as (d)]; (b) as direct obj. of an inf.: us, ourselves; (c) as indirect obj. of a verb: to or for us, to or for ourselves; (d) as obj. of a prep.: us, ourselves; to ~ ward; bitwene ~ two, between the two of us.
Show 16 Quotations
4.
With singular referent, used as a plural of authority: ourself, myself.
Show 1 Quotation
5.
As reciprocal pron.: each other.
Show 1 Quotation

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1425 Leg.Cross BC(2) (Pep 2125)56 : On þat croys þey crucified our lord Ihesu Crist to oure aller saluacion if we vs self wulleþ deseruy hit.
    • Note: Additional quot., sense 1.(a).

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